FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Curious if we can be of help? Read some of our most frequently asked questions.

How do I prepare for the-Cleanse?

Are there restaurants I can eat at during the week of the-Cleanse?

Where should I shop to get ready for the-Cleanse?

Do I need special kitchen appliances to do the-Cleanse?

Do I need to drink more water?

Will I be fasting or skipping meals?

Do I have to avoid meat while on the-cleanse?

Does being on the cleanse mean I have to spend all day in the kitchen?

Do I have to give up my coffee?

Can I still go to the gym while on the-Cleanse?

If I feel good on the-Cleanse how long can I eat this way?

Do I have to take any supplements or herbs while I am on the cleanse?

Why do I have to avoid certain foods?

Why is it important to do the-Cleanse?

Is the cleanse safe for me to do?

How do I prepare for the-Cleanse?

The best way to prepare for the diet plan is to plan ahead. Get the family involved. Finish all the leftovers and perishable items in the fridge, and store other restricted items out of reach.

Are there restaurants I can eat at during the week of the-Cleanse?

A Windsor Restaurant with Cleanse friendly options is Taloola Café. At most restaurants you can request brown rice, steamed veggies without butter and salads. Call ahead to inquire about options.

Where should I shop to get ready for the-Cleanse?

To stock up on allowed foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, legumes, oils and condiments first check out Natural Earth Organics (www.naturalearthorganics.ca) who offers an organic food box special. Although organically grown foods that are grown without chemical sprays or insecticides are preferable, they are not always accessible. Buy what your budget allows. Fresh produce from your local supermarket will suffice but you should wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. It is also advisable that you visit the Natural Food section of Zehrs, the Real Canadian Superstore, Enchie Mart, Bulk Barn or Healthy Nuts so that you can purchase the items that are not available through Natural Earth Organics.

YES, YES, YES!! Remember to drink at least 2L of plain, filtered water each day. This is ALWAYS, not just for the CLEANSE. To get the optimal amount of water, drink ½ your weight in ounces of water. E.g. If you weigh 160lb. then you need to drink 80 ounces if water (this is 10 glasses or 2.5L)

Will I be fasting or skipping meals?

NO, NO, NO!! Be sure to eat 3 meals and 2 small snacks every day. This will keep your metabolism working effectively so you can maintain muscle mass and lose fat. Try to eat something every 3 hours. This is not a calorie-restricted diet. Use the suggested snacks if needed for hunger or cravings. Leftovers are also handy to eat as snacks. We do not promote fasting and feel this is a detriment to human physiology as the P450 enzymes of the liver require products of the Kreb’s cycle in order to properly function.

Do I have to avoid meat while on the-cleanse?

We will be providing you with a vegetarian meal plan. You can eat the allowed meats if you wish.

Does being on the cleanse mean I have to spend all day in the kitchen?

No, but it does mean you need to plan ahead. We will help you with that. You may use leftovers for the next day’s meal or part of a meal, e.g., leftover broiled salmon and broccoli from dinner as part of a large salad for lunch the next day. It may be helpful to cook extra sweet potatoes, rice, and beans, etc. that can be reheated for snacking or used for another meal. Most foods on the menu plan freeze well. Breakfasts that need cooking are easiest to incorporate on your days off. Smoothies make easy and quick breakfast options.

Do I have to give up my coffee?

If you are consuming coffee or other caffeinated beverages on a regular basis, it is always wise to slowly reduce your intake rather than to stop abruptly. This will prevent caffeine-withdrawal headaches. Start now by drinking half decaf/half regular coffee and slowly decrease your intake.

Can I still go to the gym while on the-Cleanse?

Strenuous or prolonged exercise can be reduced during some or the entire week to allow the body to cleanse more effectively without the additional burden imposed by exercise. Yoga is highly recommended. Adequate rest and stress reduction is also important. Our best advice is to do what your body tells you.

If I feel good on the-Cleanse how long can I eat this way?

You can continue this meal plan beyond the 7 days. The longer you do it, the more you will get from it! This is a great foundational diet that you can follow lifelong.

Do I have to take any supplements or herbs while I am on the cleanse?

As Naturopaths, patients routinely request information on a “cleanse” or “detox” without a complete understanding of what these words or concepts mean. Often patients assume that by taking a pill they will somehow purge themselves of “toxins”, a word also often misused, and in the process lose weight. Our concern with the misuse of these terms and with this myopic approach is that often these cleanse or detox kits can negatively interfere with medications, and they generally operate as laxatives, which are habit forming and can also be dangerous. They are often also expensive and wrought with false advertising. To truly cleanse one must first understand how they come into contact with these toxins: the fact remains that we are exposed to more toxins in the home than outdoors, specifically through the food we eat, the cleaning supplies we use and the beauty care products we apply. It is well known that substances such as PCBs, plasticizers, pesticides, phthalates and flame retardants bio-accumulate in the body and contribute to ill health. Bisphenol A (BPA), for example, is a well known endocrine disruptor. Today, a great deal of research exists and indicates that even in doses as small as parts per billion these chemicals have the ability to alter our physiology.

Why do I have to avoid certain foods?

During the-CLEANSE, certain foods are excluded from the diet, such as caffeine, alcohol and sugar because of their reliance on the P450 mechanisms that the body requires for the bio-transformation of toxic chemicals. Non organic meats and dairy are also excluded as they are a known source of PCBs and xenoestrogens. Other excluded food items include processed and preserved foods and those that are difficult to digest and increase intestinal permeability of toxic substances.

Why is it important to do the-Cleanse?

Due to the overload of chemicals our body encounters on a daily basis, we recognize that the liver is not always able to filter the blood easily. Liver detoxification relies on the induction or inhibition of the P450 system which is largely dependent upon nutrient intake, exposures to other toxic chemicals, medication, and genetic polymorphisms of these enzymes. Efficient elimination by the digestive system and kidneys is required to reduce the amount of re-absorption that occurs. Our bodies are designed to remove the waste that we don’t need, however, if this were being done efficiently in all people we would not commonly find evidence of bioaccumulation of these known toxic substances in samples of blood, urine and adipose tissue.

Is the cleanse safe for me to do?

The-Cleanse is based on relevant and current scientific data on the physiology of detoxification. It involves one week of consuming a healthy diet with a focus on fruits and vegetables, protein, healthy fats and fibre. It is known that a diet that supports detoxification is balanced in carbohydrates (60%), protein (30%) and healthy fats (30%). Yoga is also promoted during this week as a safe form of exercise that emphasizes deep breathing, sweating and stretching. All of the information provided is free and approved by licensed professionals.